Two Scholars Argue That Good Spouses Can Make Lousy Friends

THE WEDDING SEASON is wrapping up, and many of the newly joined were no doubt advised that love is patient and kind. But now two Massachusetts sociologists say love can also be greedy.

More precisely, marriage can be greedy, according to Naomi Gerstel of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Natalia Sarkisian of Boston College, who have written a paper called "Marriage: the Good, the Bad, and the Greedy." Analyzing two nationwide social surveys, they found that married couples spend less time than singles calling, writing, and visiting with their friends, neighbors, and extended family. According to their research, married people are also less likely to give friends and neighbors emotional support and practical help, such as with household chores.

Tango’s TakeFinally. Finally someone is coming around to our way of thinking. Now everyone knows what Joe Jackson meant we wrote the lyrics “Those happy couples ain’t no friends of mine.” At any rate, our theory is that this country is being torn apart by selfish couples that only want to hang around with each other. We call it couples skating and it hurts everyone around you. Your college roommate misses you! Your wife has heard that pirate joke you tell 100 times, yes it costs the pirate a buccaneer for his piercings. You’ve never even met your next-door neighbors and they’ve got a sweet yard for wiffle ball. Do everyone a favor and get your heads out of each other’s asses and participate in civilization while it lasts.